Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers are part of the indie rock canon, especially here in greater Boston. They formed in Natick MA in 1970, and were active from 1970 to 1974, but most of their records came out later – this one in 1976.

Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads) gets credit for piano, organ, and backing vocals, with Ernie Brooks playing bass, and David Robinson drums. John Cale produced six of the songs. That’s a gig poster for Gloucester High School auditorium on the rear cover.

Some legendary songs here – “Roadrunner” (which you may know via the Sex Pistol’s cover and after which a local venue is now named) and “Pablo Picasso” which has been covered by many people including David Bowie and Jack White.

My copy—via A1 records in NYC—is a later reissue (2009) by 4 Men With Beards on 180g vinyl.